Salvors on board the stricken container ship Rena are continuing to pump fuel from the ship onto the barge vessel Awanuia this morning.

Oil began being pumped off the ship yesterday, with salvors being given permission to remain on the vessel overnight to continue pumping the estimated 1300 tonnes of fuel on board.

Oil is being pumped from the grounded cargo ship Rena on Astrolabe Reef.

A Maritime New Zealand spokesperson says pumping operations overnight have been successful.

Bad weather expected to hit the region tonight means Rena is still at risk of leaking more oil, how much is not yet known.

A Maritime NZ spokesperson says the speed of the operation will depend on a range of factors including weather, the stability of the vessel and the viscosity of the oil.

National On Scene Commander Nick Quinn says there is an added level of complexity to the operations due to the 20 degree starboard list of the ship, and the consistency of the oil.

Restrictions on public access to beaches have been lifted from the base track at Mount Maunganui to Moturiki (Leisure) Island.

More than 380 Defence Force personnel are currently assisting the oil spill response operation, working with the 500 volunteers who are expected to assist in beach clean ups in Papamoa and Maketu. 618 tonnes of oiled sandy waste recovered.

A number of Royal New Zealand Navy vessels have also supported the recovery efforts. HMNZS Pukaki continues to patrol the naval exclusion zone and HMNZS Manawanui remains berthed in Tauranga Harbour ready to provide additional naval support if required.

Approximately 140 NZ Army personnel have formed shoreline clean up teams for the purpose of removing oil and salvage from affected beaches.

Iroquois and Seasprite helicopters have been able to conduct long range reconnaissance of potentially affected areas, and are also prepared to conduct search and rescue operations should the need arise.